Ho Hum, Ho Hum….Cardinals Workmanlike in Win over Cubbies

What started out as a well pitched and well played game, got a little sloppy towards the end of the game.

Adam Wainwright pitched 7 solid innings striking out 7 and giving up 3 runs, 2 were unearned. Ryan Dempster was able to baffle the Cardinals until the fifth inning when Joe Thurston doubled home Yadier Molina and Khalil Greene.

After advancing to third base on the throw home to get Greene, he was knocked in by a Skip Schumaker line drive to the outfield.

Wainwright kept the baby bears in check until the seventh. His defense behind him didn’t do him any favors, however. Skip Schumaker moved from second base to left field to take over the defensive liability known as Chris Duncan, and promptly dropped a shallow fly ball that my Steve Bartman could have caught (I bet the Cub fans, love that reference).

The mishap lead to the Cubs putting up three runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Classic Cards-Cubs baseball! Prince Albert singled in the eighth, and for the third night in a row, stole second base.

Putting “El Machine” in scoring position. Ryan Ludwick then singled up the middle scoring the reigning MVP, putting the Cardinals up 4-3.

That type of run manufacturing out of the middle of the lineup is what has gotten the Redbirds off to a white-hot 12-5 start. Kyle McClellan did his job in the eighth, and Ryan Franklin closed the door for his fifth consecutive save.

The Cubs and Cards go at it again today this afternoon at 3 o’clock at Busch Stadium. Mitchell Boggs faces off against Marshall.

And for all of you who care about the Rams…remember today is draft day and the blue and gold, under new coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney look to start a new era in St. Louis.

Redbird fans, wish the Rams luck on draft day! After the past decade or so of drafts, lord knows they will need it! If you want check out my draft preview for the Rams.